Resource Utilization – Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Resource utilization is the way people use natural resources to meet their needs, and it is good only when the resources are used wisely and fully.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define natural resources and name the two types.
2. State five ways natural resources are important to Nigeria.
3. Explain overutilization and underutilization with examples.
4. List the dangers of overutilization and the problems of underutilization.
5. Suggest ways of solving both problems.

What are natural resources?

Natural resources are materials or substances found in nature that are valuable to humans.

What are the types of natural resources?

There are two types of natural resources: renewable and non-renewable.

• Renewable resources: can be replaced or renewed naturally, such as water, forests and solar energy.

• Non-renewable resources: cannot be replaced once used up, such as crude oil, minerals and coal.

Why are natural resources important to Nigeria?

Natural resources give Nigeria income, raw materials, energy and food.

• Economic development: they bring income (such as oil revenue), foreign exchange, jobs and government revenue.
• Raw materials: industries and the manufacturing sector use them to produce goods.
• Energy production: crude oil gives fuel, natural gas gives electricity and water gives hydroelectricity.
• Food production: fertile soil and irrigation water support farming, and rivers and the ocean supply fish.
• Export: resources sold abroad earn foreign exchange and support international trade.

What are the major natural resources in Nigeria?

Nigeria’s major natural resources are crude oil and gas, solid minerals, forests, water, farmland and marine life.

What is overutilization of natural resources?

Overutilization is using natural resources excessively, beyond their capacity to regenerate or renew.

What are examples of overutilization?

• Crude oil: excessive extraction, gas flaring, oil spillage and environmental pollution.
• Forests: excessive logging, deforestation, no replanting and bush burning.
• Water: overuse of groundwater, pollution of water bodies and industrial waste dumping.
• Land: over-farming without fertilizer, soil erosion and desertification.
• Fish: overfishing, use of chemicals and destruction of marine life.

What are the dangers of overutilization?

Overutilization causes depletion, pollution, economic loss, ill health, desertification, flooding and loss of wildlife.

• Resource depletion: resources run out and nothing is left for future generations.
• Environmental degradation: air, water and land are polluted, and biodiversity is lost.
• Economic problems: income is lost, industries close, unemployment rises and poverty grows.
• Health issues: polluted water causes diseases, polluted air affects breathing and food becomes contaminated.
• Desertification: land turns to desert, farming stops, food becomes scarce and people migrate.
• Flooding: deforestation increases flooding, which destroys lives and property and displaces people.
• Loss of wildlife: animals lose their habitat, species may become extinct and nature falls out of balance.
• Climate change: it brings irregular rainfall, extreme temperatures, droughts, floods and global warming.

What is underutilization of natural resources?

Underutilization is not using natural resources adequately or to their full potential.

What are examples of underutilization in Nigeria?

• Solid minerals: gold, tin and coal are not fully mined because attention is on oil.
• Agricultural land: much arable land is not cultivated, youths leave farming and food is imported.
• Tourism: beautiful sites are not developed and lack tourist facilities, so revenue is lost.
• Solar energy: sunshine is abundant but few solar panels are used, so people still depend on generators.
• Water resources: rivers and lakes are little used for transport, irrigation is limited and hydroelectric power is not fully developed.

What are the problems of underutilization?

Underutilization wastes income, creates unemployment and slows national development.

• Economic loss: potential income is wasted and the country depends on imports.
• Unemployment: industries are not created, so jobs are scarce and youths stay idle.
• Poverty: unused resources leave people poor with little development.
• Overdependence on oil: a one-product economy is weak when oil prices fall.
• Importation: the country buys what it can produce, wasting foreign exchange and causing a trade deficit.
• Food insecurity: too little farming and too much food importing can lead to hunger and malnutrition.
• Underdevelopment: infrastructure is lacking and technology stays backward.
• Brain drain: qualified people leave for better chances abroad, and the country loses skilled workers.

How can the problems of resource utilization be solved?

Overutilization is solved by protecting resources, and underutilization is solved by developing them.

What are the solutions to overutilization?

1. Run conservation programmes.
2. Use resources in a sustainable way.
3. Replant trees (reforestation).
4. Control pollution.
5. Use renewable energy.
6. Teach people through education and awareness.
7. Make strict laws and enforce them.

What are the solutions to underutilization?

1. Invest in other sectors.
2. Diversify the economy.
3. Encourage mining.
4. Support agriculture.
5. Develop tourism.
6. Provide technology and infrastructure.
7. Make good government policies.
8. Involve the private sector.

Evaluation

1. What are natural resources?
2. Why are natural resources important?
3. What is overutilization? Give two examples.
4. List three dangers of overutilization.
5. What is underutilization? Give two examples.

Assignment

1. List five natural resources in Nigeria and write one use of each. Then suggest two ways of managing one of them sustainably.